Part iconoclastic francophone outpost in otherwise English-speaking North America, part skyscraping international city, it was claimed by Jacques Cartier in 1535 who named it Mont Réal (Royal Mountain) in honor of his king.

Montreal, like going to Paris without a jetlag

It is among the oldest cities on the continent. Located on the St. Lawrence River, notorious for its harsh winters, Montreal flourishes through a hot and sweet summer.

What to do

Vieux Montreal Bounded by the Old Port, Saint-Jacques, Rue Berri and Rue McGill, Montreal's historic core was originally enclosed within imposing stone walls erected in the early 1700s. Today, it is a hot spot of night life, with wonderful shops, galleries, cafes, and bars, and its 18th- and 19th-century architecture has been so well preserved that it is commonly used by American and Canadian film producers as a stand-in for old Europe. Don't miss the Rue St.-Paul, with its Victorian street lamps, and the breathtaking Basilique Notre-Dame, which is big enough to hold 4,000 worshipers.

When it's cold, visit the Underground City,(now named RESO), to shop, dine, or see a movie -- all without donning an overcoat or putting on snow boots.It contains hotels, restaurants, galleries, rail and metro stations,cinemas, nightclubs, and even a library. This vast network runs under Montreal’s streets, and crosses plazas. It consists of 30 km (19 miles) of tunnels spread over an area of twelve square kilometers of downtown Montreal.

When to be there

In late June, early July, during the Montreal International Jazz Festival, in the entertainment district around the Place des Arts, attend one of the hundreds of Jazz concerts. This world largest Jazz Festival brings together some 2,000 world class musicians from more than twenty different countries and attracts annually a million and a half aficionados!

Where to dine

L'Express (3927, rue Saint-Denis Montreal, (514) 845-5333). There is no sign of the restaurant name on the building facade and you will have to look for it on the ground, in the black and white tiles, right before you enter. One of the most popular spot in town, this French bistro looks and acts the part — from its mirror-lined walls and zinc-like bar, to its reliably good "steak frites." You can also rely on their delicious ham-and-cheese quiche or the "ravioli maison," which are round pasta pockets filled with a flavorful mixture of beef, pork, and veal. For dessert, just try their lovely "creme brule" or a "chocolate mousse" to die for.

Where to sleep

Auberge les Passants du Sans Soucy, a former fur warehouse built in 1723, now converted in a delightful bed and breakfast whose rooms with their stone walls, beamed ceilings, polished wood floors, and traditional Quebecois furniture are veritable time machines. Breakfast is a special selling point: a sky-lit dining nook features communal tables on either side of a fireplace imported from Bordeaux.